Council investing in services at no extra cost to the taxpayer

Issued 24 February 2015

New Forest District Council committed to freeze its share of council tax for the sixth year running while investing in services for residents. The council's budget and medium term financial plan for 2015/16 was agreed by full council at a meeting on 23 February.

Frontline services will be protected, said council leader Councillor Barry Rickman, despite the funding gap created by less government grant. The council will also enable funding to support ongoing investment in modern services through the use of its carefully managed reserves. Looking to the future, the financial plan will ensure that the council's reserves are sufficient to sustain both future investment and safeguard frontline services.

The cost of council services to council taxpayers will be the same in 2015/16 as it was in 2010/11. Band D properties will pay just £155.76 towards the services provided by New Forest District Council, which is less than £3 a week.

"Year on year we are having to deliver services with less funds, so I am proud that we have been able to protect and improve essential services for residents and that we have a robust plan for the future. We have continued to deliver efficiencies and savings, but we have not reduced services" said Cllr Rickman.

The council will spend nearly £88million this year on continuing to deliver important services such as refuse and recycling collections; planning; street cleaning; public toilets; housing; community and leisure facilities, and coastal protection. The council continues to support local small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), business and will work with Local Enterprise Partnerships to promote economic growth.

The council will also continue to work with partners to promote the New Forest as a visitor destination, provide community safety and improve the health and wellbeing of residents.

Services are more easily accessible than ever, in a way and time that suits residents. Customers can carry out transactions on the council's website, report issues via the council's smartphone app 'New Forest InTouch', engage via Facebook and Twitter, or visit one of the information offices across the district.